Introduction

Within the now substantial literature on Education for Sustainability there is not a great deal that addresses direct approaches with the youngest children. In this book, we are looking to support the wide range of educators involved with young children in addressing some of the complex issues raised by Education for Sustainability (EfS). Such educators will naturally include parents and members of the community, but we are particularly addressing the wide range of Early Childhood Education and Care professionals in education, teacher education, health and social care. We need to stress from the outset that this volume is not a handbook, attempting to cover all aspects of ECECfS, theoretical and practical. Rather, we look to support new thinking about many key elements, based upon recent international research. This follows our belief and experience that ECECfS cannot be achieved by the delivery of a laid-down common curriculum, but must be very largely constructed by practitioners in response to local contexts and needs.